To claim irESA or cbESA you can phone Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 to start your claim. An adviser will ask you for the following information, and some other more detailed questions:

Name, address, date of birth and telephone numbers

National Insurance number

Mortgage or landlord details

Council tax details

A brief explanation of your illness or disability

Name, address and telephone number of your GP

Details of other benefits you claim

Details of any work you have done

Bank account details.

You will need a fit note from your GP to start your claim. Once you have received the fit note from your GP, you can either upload it here, or send it by post.

If you do not want to claim by phone, you can ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to send you a claim form or you can download a ESA1 form online and take it to your nearest Jobcentre Plus office.

A carer, friend or relative can call the DWP or fill in the form for you if you require assistance. However, you will need to be with them when they make the calls, just so you can give them permission to speak for you.

A carer, friend or relative can call the DWP or fill in the form for you if you require assistance.